10805371

Transmitting and Receiving Media Packet Streams

PublishedOctober 13, 2020
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

Patent Claims
12 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A transmitter device for transmitting media packet streams on a data network, the transmitter device comprising: a plurality of input media channels to receive media channels, each media channel having a format; one or more transmission ports to transmit media packet streams; a processor to packetize received media channels to create media packet streams for transmission by the transmission port; and a controller to control the processor to create a first media packet stream containing one or more media channels having the same format, and to create a second media packet stream containing one or more media channels having the same format, wherein the format of the media channels of the first media packet stream is different to the format of the media channels of the second media packet stream; wherein the number of frames per packet is determined based on the sample rate and bit depth of the media channels within that group.

Plain English Translation

A transmitter device designed for transmitting media packet streams over a data network. The device addresses the challenge of efficiently transmitting diverse media formats by providing multiple input media channels, each capable of receiving media with a specific format. The device includes one or more transmission ports for sending out the media packet streams. A processor within the device is responsible for packetizing the received media channels, transforming them into media packet streams suitable for network transmission. A controller governs the processor's operations. Specifically, the controller instructs the processor to create a first media packet stream comprising one or more media channels that share a common format. Simultaneously, it directs the processor to generate a second media packet stream containing one or more media channels also sharing a common format, but this format is distinct from the format of the media channels in the first stream. The number of media frames included within each packet is dynamically determined based on the sample rate and bit depth of the media channels grouped together within that specific packet stream.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. A transmitter device of claim 1 , wherein the controller further automatically determines the number of frames per packet of each packet stream, wherein the number of frames per packet of the first packet stream is different to the number of frames per packet of the second packet stream.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to a transmitter device for managing packet streams in a communication system. The device addresses the challenge of efficiently transmitting multiple packet streams with varying frame requirements, ensuring optimal bandwidth utilization and synchronization. The transmitter device includes a controller that dynamically adjusts the number of frames per packet for each packet stream. Specifically, the controller automatically determines the number of frames per packet for a first packet stream and a second packet stream, where the number of frames per packet in the first stream differs from that in the second stream. This allows the device to adapt to different data types, network conditions, or application requirements, improving transmission efficiency and reducing latency. The controller may also manage packetization timing, ensuring that frames are grouped into packets in a way that maintains synchronization between streams while accommodating their distinct frame rates or payload sizes. This capability is particularly useful in systems where multiple streams with different characteristics, such as video and audio, must be transmitted simultaneously without compromising quality or performance. By dynamically adjusting frame-to-packet ratios, the transmitter device optimizes resource allocation, minimizes packet overhead, and enhances real-time communication in applications like multimedia streaming, teleconferencing, or industrial automation. The invention improves upon prior systems by providing flexible, adaptive packetization tailored to each stream's specific needs.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. A transmitter device according to claim 2 , wherein the controller further controls the processor to cause the first media packet stream to be sent to a multicast address, and the second media packet stream to be sent to a unicast address.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to a transmitter device for efficiently distributing media content over a network. The device addresses the challenge of balancing bandwidth usage and ensuring reliable content delivery to multiple recipients. The transmitter device includes a processor that generates a first media packet stream and a second media packet stream, where the second stream is derived from the first. The device also has a controller that manages the transmission of these streams. The controller directs the processor to send the first media packet stream to a multicast address, allowing multiple recipients to receive the same content simultaneously with minimal bandwidth usage. The second media packet stream, which may be a modified or optimized version of the first, is sent to a unicast address, enabling targeted delivery to individual recipients. This dual-stream approach optimizes network efficiency by reducing redundant transmissions while ensuring that specific recipients receive tailored content. The invention is particularly useful in scenarios where both broadcast and personalized media delivery are required, such as in video streaming or live broadcasting systems.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. A transmitter device according to claim 1 , wherein the controller further controls the processor to cause the first media packet stream to be sent to a multicast address, and the second media packet stream to be sent to a unicast address.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to a transmitter device for efficiently distributing media content over a network. The device addresses the challenge of optimizing bandwidth usage while ensuring reliable delivery of media streams to multiple recipients. The transmitter device includes a processor that generates at least two media packet streams from a single media source. The first media packet stream is a base stream containing essential media data, while the second media packet stream is an enhancement stream containing additional data that improves the quality of the base stream. A controller manages the processor to ensure the base stream is sent to a multicast address, allowing multiple recipients to receive it simultaneously over a shared network path. The enhancement stream is sent to a unicast address, enabling targeted delivery to specific recipients who require higher-quality content. This approach reduces redundant data transmission, conserving bandwidth while maintaining flexibility in content delivery. The device may also include a network interface for transmitting the streams and a memory for storing configuration data. The controller dynamically adjusts the transmission parameters based on network conditions to ensure optimal performance. This system is particularly useful in applications such as video streaming, where efficient bandwidth utilization is critical.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. A transmitter device according to claim 1 , wherein the controller further operates to receive further instructions amending which received media channels comprise a media packet stream.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to a transmitter device for managing media packet streams in a communication system. The device addresses the challenge of dynamically adjusting media channel selections in real-time to optimize bandwidth usage and content delivery. The transmitter device includes a controller that processes media channels received from one or more sources, where each channel comprises a media packet stream. The controller selectively transmits these streams to one or more receivers based on predefined criteria, such as user preferences, network conditions, or content relevance. The device also includes a memory for storing configuration data and a network interface for transmitting the selected media packet streams. The controller further operates to receive additional instructions that modify which received media channels are included in the transmitted media packet stream, allowing for real-time adjustments to the content being delivered. This dynamic reconfiguration ensures efficient use of network resources while maintaining high-quality media delivery. The invention is particularly useful in applications requiring adaptive streaming, such as live broadcasts, video conferencing, or multimedia content distribution.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. A transmitter device according to claim 1 , wherein the controller further controls the processor to address the media packet stream to an address and port.

Plain English Translation

A transmitter device is designed to process and transmit media packet streams, such as video or audio data, over a network. The device includes a processor that receives and processes the media packet stream, and a controller that manages the processor's operations. The controller ensures the media packet stream is formatted and prepared for transmission. In this specific configuration, the controller further directs the processor to address the media packet stream to a specific network address and port. This addressing allows the transmitter device to send the media data to a designated recipient or endpoint, ensuring proper routing and delivery over the network. The addressing mechanism may involve assigning an IP address and port number to the media packet stream, enabling communication between the transmitter and a receiving device. This feature is particularly useful in applications requiring precise routing of media data, such as video conferencing, streaming services, or real-time communication systems. The transmitter device may also include additional components, such as an encoder for compressing the media data or a network interface for transmitting the addressed packets. The addressing functionality ensures that the media packet stream reaches the intended destination efficiently and accurately.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. A transmitter device according to claim 6 , wherein the address is a multicast address or a unicast address.

Plain English Translation

A transmitter device is configured to send data packets to one or more receiver devices over a network. The device includes a processor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the device to generate a data packet containing a payload and an address field. The address field specifies either a multicast address or a unicast address, allowing the data packet to be transmitted to multiple receiver devices simultaneously (multicast) or to a single receiver device (unicast). The device further includes a transmitter circuit to transmit the data packet over the network. The address selection enables flexible routing of data packets based on the communication requirements, such as broadcasting to multiple devices or targeting a specific device. The transmitter device may also include a receiver circuit to receive acknowledgment signals from the receiver devices, confirming successful data packet delivery. The system ensures efficient data distribution by dynamically adjusting the address type based on network conditions or application needs.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. A transmitter device according to claim 1 , wherein the instruction message to the processor includes any one or more of the destination address, destination port, number of channels in the media packet stream and slot details of each media channel of the media packet stream.

Plain English Translation

A transmitter device is designed for efficient media packet stream transmission in communication networks. The device includes a processor and a transmitter configured to send media packet streams to a receiver. The processor generates an instruction message that includes specific details about the media packet stream to optimize transmission. These details may include the destination address, destination port, the number of channels in the media packet stream, and slot details for each media channel. The instruction message ensures that the transmitter can accurately route and manage the media packet stream, improving transmission efficiency and reducing errors. The device may also include a receiver to obtain the media packet stream from an external source, such as a media server, before transmission. The processor processes the media packet stream according to the instruction message, ensuring proper formatting and routing. This system enhances real-time media transmission by providing precise control over packet stream parameters, making it suitable for applications like video conferencing, streaming, and telecommunication services. The transmitter device's ability to handle multiple channels and detailed slot information allows for flexible and scalable media transmission solutions.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. A transmitter device according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is remote from the processor and/or input media channels.

Plain English Translation

A transmitter device is designed for processing and transmitting media content, such as audio or video signals, with improved efficiency and flexibility. The device includes a processor that receives input media channels, processes the signals, and generates output signals for transmission. A controller manages the processing operations, including signal routing, format conversion, and synchronization. The controller can be physically separated from the processor and the input media channels, allowing for distributed system architectures. This separation enables remote control and management of the transmitter device, which is useful in large-scale media production environments where components may be located in different physical locations. The device may also include additional features such as signal conditioning, error correction, and bandwidth optimization to ensure high-quality transmission. The remote controller allows for centralized management of multiple transmitter devices, reducing operational complexity and improving scalability. The system is particularly useful in broadcast, streaming, and telecommunications applications where reliable and efficient media transmission is critical.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. A transmitter device according to claim 1 , wherein if the format of a media channel changes, the controller further operates to automatically regroup the media channels into media packet stream having the same format.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to transmitter devices used in media streaming systems, particularly addressing the challenge of maintaining consistent media packet stream formats when media channel formats change. The transmitter device includes a controller that dynamically manages media channels to ensure seamless streaming. When a media channel's format changes, the controller automatically reorganizes the media channels into a new media packet stream where all channels share the same format. This prevents disruptions in playback and ensures compatibility with downstream devices. The transmitter device may also include a media channel selector for choosing channels to include in the stream and a media channel formatter for adjusting channel formats. The controller monitors channel formats and triggers regrouping when changes are detected, ensuring continuous, format-consistent streaming. This solution is particularly useful in systems where multiple media channels with varying formats must be combined into a single, standardized stream for efficient transmission and playback.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. A transmitter device according to claim 5 , wherein the instructions on which received media channels comprise a media packet stream is received from a controller associated with a receiver device.

Plain English Translation

A transmitter device is configured to process and transmit media channels, particularly in a system where media content is distributed to multiple receiver devices. The device includes a processor and memory storing instructions that, when executed, enable the device to receive media channels from a source, such as a broadcast or network feed, and transmit them to one or more receiver devices. The transmitter device determines which of the received media channels contain a media packet stream, which is a structured data format used for efficient transmission and decoding of media content. This determination is based on instructions received from a controller associated with a receiver device, allowing the transmitter to dynamically adapt to the specific media channels requested by the receiver. The transmitter may also include a buffer to temporarily store media channels before transmission, ensuring smooth playback at the receiver end. The system is designed to optimize bandwidth usage and reduce latency in media distribution, particularly in environments where multiple receiver devices require different media channels simultaneously. The transmitter device may further include error correction mechanisms to ensure reliable transmission of media packet streams, even in noisy or unstable network conditions. The overall system improves efficiency in media distribution by dynamically selecting and transmitting only the necessary media channels based on receiver requests.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. A transmitter device according to claim 5 , wherein the controller further operates to provide instructions to the processor to transmit a first media packet stream to a receiver device and a second media packet stream to the receiver device, wherein samples contained in the first and second media packet stream are the same.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to a transmitter device for transmitting media packet streams to a receiver device. The problem addressed is the need for efficient and synchronized media transmission, particularly in scenarios where the same media content must be delivered to a receiver in multiple streams while maintaining synchronization and reducing redundancy. The transmitter device includes a controller and a processor. The controller operates to provide instructions to the processor to transmit a first media packet stream and a second media packet stream to the receiver device. The samples contained in both the first and second media packet streams are identical, ensuring that the receiver device receives the same media content in both streams. This redundancy can be used for error correction, synchronization, or other purposes where multiple identical streams are beneficial. The transmitter device may also include a network interface for transmitting the media packet streams over a network. The controller can further manage the transmission parameters, such as timing, packet formatting, and error handling, to ensure reliable delivery. The processor executes the instructions provided by the controller to generate and transmit the media packet streams according to the specified parameters. This approach allows for robust media transmission where the same content is delivered in multiple streams, which can improve reliability, enable redundancy-based error recovery, or support synchronized playback in multi-stream applications. The identical samples in both streams ensure consistency, making it suitable for applications requiring high reliability or redundancy, such as live broadcasting, video conferencing, or real-time media streaming.

Patent Metadata

Filing Date

Unknown

Publication Date

October 13, 2020

Inventors

Aidan Williams
Andrew White

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TRANSMITTING AND RECEIVING MEDIA PACKET STREAMS